Let Arrogant Gamers Beware

Aaron and I rejoiced to break bread together last night, celebrating the turns of the season. Our conversation turned, as it often does, to a review of what we know and what we think we know and (the larger by magnitudes of order category of) what we don't know about what lies ahead. At one point, something occurred to us, an insight of some note, which should make some of us tremble. Are you maintaining a “wait and see” approach to the season's development? Intellectually, it might seem like wise approach, but is it good enough? The answer is, no, and in a little bit I'll explain our insight about this.

Aaron brought up a situation from the book of Jasher that really spoke to him recently. The whole 12th chapter of Jasher is relevant, but this is the primary section of focus.

18 And Haran at that time felt inclined to follow the ways of Abram, but he kept it within himself. 19 And Haran said in his heart, Behold now the king has seized Abram on account of these things which Abram did, and it shall come to pass, that if Abram prevail over the king I will follow him, but if the king prevail I will go after the king. 20 And when Terah had spoken this to the king concerning Haran his son, the king ordered Haran to be seized with Abram. 21 And they brought them both, Abram and Haran his brother, to cast them into the fire; and all the inhabitants of the land and the king's servants and princes and all the women and little ones were there, standing that day over them. 22 And the king's servants took Abram and his brother, and they stripped them of all their clothes excepting their lower garments which were upon them. 23 And they bound their hands and feet with linen cords, and the servants of the king lifted them up and cast them both into the furnace. 24 And the Lord loved Abram and he had compassion over him, and the Lord came down and delivered Abram from the fire and he was not burned. 25 But all the cords with which they bound him were burned, while Abram remained and walked about in the fire. 26 And Haran died when they had cast him into the fire, and he was burned to ashes, for his heart was not perfect with the Lord; and those men who cast him into the fire, the flame of the fire spread over them, and they were burned, and twelve men of them died.” ~ Jasher 12:18-26

Haran was no dummy. He was going to see which way the wind blew, then set sail in that direction. The righteous judgment was that “his heart was not perfect with the Lord,” and when Abram was saved, he was destroyed. Even though Haran was inclined to follow the ways of his brother Abram, he didn't. Ruminate on that for a moment.

I've written plenty about what I call the sign for the Bride. In 2 Thessalonians 2 we are given to know that there will be no harvest of the saints until after a special event is witnessed. This event may therefore be understood as a sign, because only after the man of lawlessness is revealed will the Lord gather His precious ripened crops out of His harvest field unto Himself, each in its own order. Because there's a brief span of time indicated between the sign and the harvests, some, in a place hidden down deep in their souls, see the sign as an opportunity, assessing how much longer they can get away with whatever they feel they are have gotten away with, with regard to their behavior and the character it stems from. If Bob's prediction is right, and the lawless one is revealed in the neighborhood of how and when Bob predicts it will, then I'll take his advice and repent. Everything is bet upon the shrewd calculation that is thought to bring them safely in just under the wire - qualified for the grand prize. Hey, why not ride the fence on the whole Bride Theft thing, playing “wait and see” on the revealing of the lawless one. Who knows, you might be able to continue pleasing your own self for years to come, right? That's a miscalculation and a bad bet. It's what arrogance looks like, not humility, and it's already come into judgment.

Aaron and I are here to tell you that it's not going to work that way. The Lord has got that angle covered, like with Haran, who was burned to ashes even though he was inclined toward Abram. He knows the hearts of men and He's not looking away with a dismissive wink. This is what He indicated to us last night during our conversation. If you think you're going to game the system with the wisdom of Haran, think again. Instead of recognizing the sign you're going to be deceived. Being deceived, you're not going to repent. Your Midnight cry wake up call basically comes with the Bride Theft - TOO LATE for you!

In connection with the revealing of the lawless one there's going to come a deception, an epic hoax, targeting the hope and faith of the saints. (See “The Lying Report - A Supernatural Multimedia Hoax (The Sign for the Bride)” and “Part 3 - Sochi Winter Olympics 2014 - The Ultimate Hoax”) Few will be able to resist, only those who are truly awake and alert, who have received the love of the truth. Everyone else will perish (v. 10), with the sudden destruction recorded in 1 Thessalonians 5.

8 Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming; 9 that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, 10 and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. 11 For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, 12 in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness. ~ 2 Thessalonians 2:8-12

Do you grasp how that discernment isn't on the basis of intellectual acuity or fact retention? There are no loopholes to be exploited by those who arrogantly think they have outsmarted the Devil or outsmarted the sovereign God. No fence riding, bet hedging, sandbagging or any kind of manipulative gamble is going to pay any dividends whatsoever. The narrow gate into the Good Shepherd's sheepfold is the only way in, and no back door or side door exploits exist. No kind of tunneling, pole vaulting or skydiving efforts will meet with success. There is no short cut around the long narrow way of picking up your cross and following Him.

There's a reason why I don't call the revealing more inclusively the sign for Bride candidates or the sign for the church. It's because only a small number of saints will be awake and alert and able to perceive it when the sign occurs. Truly, only a small number are still awake and alert now, and able to receive what the spirit is revealing. Many in this hour are still reading Matthew 25's account of the 10 virgins and patting themselves on the back because they know they have oil, while failing to realize that it is the fact of having fallen asleep that disqualifies them from being joined to the Bridegroom in the wedding ceremony.

So, are you gambling on having the season between the revealing of the lawless one and the Bride Theft to repent? Have you avoided the Lord's discipline, failing to submit when he calls your attention to the idols in your life? Have you been “ducking the humble stick” when it begins to swing in your direction? Is gender propriety just for someone else? Is time and money still yours to do with as it pleases you? Are your natural abilities and spiritual gifts likewise, for use if, when and how it pleases you?

Are we trying to manipulate you by telling you all this? No. We are telling you straight up that you're not smarter than God and that you're not going to cheat your way into any reward you don't deserve. Real faith, hope and love will be rewarded. What is insincere will be exposed. To the dim-eyed, it might look like I'm just beating a dead horse with this message, but this race is not over yet.

24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; 27 but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified. ~ 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. ~ Hebrews 12:1-3